This article is part of a number of philosophical articles I am writing about the coronacrisis and the crisis of modern man
Let us now extend this analysis to draw connections with the concept of the ‘State of Exception,’ as expounded by philosopher Giorgio Agamben, and its manifestation in institutions such as Guantanamo Bay. The mapping of Corona critics by the army, and its echoing in mainstream news, mirrors this same ‘State of Exception’ – a tool employed to instil fear and exert control.
Agamben’s ‘State of Exception,’ a condition of crisis where normal laws are suspended, can be seen as a reflection of ‘Might is Right’ in its most extreme form. This state allows for the exercise of power unhindered by the checks and balances of democratic society. Guantanamo Bay, with its indefinite detentions without trial, is a grim exemplification of this concept. It demonstrates the raw manifestation of might, where the usual norms of law and justice are discarded under the guise of national security and the ‘greater good.’
The act of mapping corona critics by the army, as promulgated by mainstream media, is not benign, but a form of subtle coercion designed to instill fear and assert control over the narrative surrounding the pandemic. The underlying message here is ominous: diverge from the mainstream discourse, and you will find yourself the object of state scrutiny.
These tactics share an uncomfortable kinship with the actions of the ‘Might is Right’ principle – the indiscriminate drone strikes carried out without due legal process, and the power dynamics between Big Pharma, Psychiatry, and the left. All these examples underscore the centrality of power and control, the suspension of normal rules, and the marginalisation of dissenting voices.
In the shifting contours of modern political ideology, a fascinating paradox has emerged within the left-leaning landscape: an inexplicable entanglement with Big Pharma and the institution of psychiatry. This development is intriguing, considering the left’s historic dedication to critiquing systemic power structures. The contradiction grows more profound when one considers the work of Michel Foucault, the celebrated philosopher and social theorist, who meticulously dissected the oppressive mechanics of psychiatric discourse in society. This essay aims to delve into this apparent incongruity and explore how the idea of “might is right” permeates these dynamics.
Foucault’s dissections of “madness” revealed it as a socially constructed category, a means by which societies marginalize and suppress non-conforming individuals. For Foucault, the psychiatric establishment served as a politically driven apparatus, wielding the power to classify what is “normal” and what is “abnormal,” thereby dictating societal behavior norms. In his seminal work, “Madness and Civilization,” Foucault portrayed mental illness as a manipulation of power, a tool employed to marginalize people and groups that do not align with the reigning order.
And yet, if you take a look at the ‘leftist’ field you would think Foucault never existed. Are they unable to comprehend his viewpoints? Why is it that so many leftist are keen to let existent power structures dictate their ‘reality’ all of a sudden when it comes to their own brains or ‘mental health’? As I pointed out before, the Lacanian definition of psychosis pretty much leans on people constructing ‘their own reality’ and the idea that one would be against power structures but let them completely dictate your reality and your brain ‘because their dystopia made you feel bad’ is ludicrous when you formulate it like this, but the formulation is exactly where the problem lies. These people have been led to believe that *they* are the problem, that their ‘brains are ill’ and need drugs to be sedated into oblivion.
This development is paradoxical, if not outright antithetical, to the core principles traditionally associated with leftist ideologies. Leftists, with their focus on social justice and equality, have historically been skeptical of powerful corporate entities such as Big Pharma and critical of systemic institutions that could potentially facilitate social control, such as psychiatry. To see these entities now embraced or at least tolerated by those who once decried their influence is a striking transformation.
The implicit acceptance of psychiatric dogma by leftist circles not only overlooks the critical examination of Foucault but also tacitly aligns with the doctrine of ‘might is right’—an idea fundamentally at odds with their proclaimed tenets. ‘Might is right’ represents an ethos where power inherently validates itself, where those who hold power determine what is acceptable, normal, or sane. By accepting the constructs propagated by Big Pharma and psychiatric establishments without question, the left is inadvertently yielding to a power structure that maintains itself through the marginalization and control of ‘the other.’
Cognitive dissonance
It represents a form of cognitive dissonance, a grappling with the uncomfortable reality that power structures not only shape our external world but infiltrate our inner worlds, including our understanding of our own minds. This acceptance—whether intentional or unconscious—reflects a troubling capitulation to these power structures, thus contributing to the very societal dynamics leftist ideologies seek to critique and dismantle.
At the start of the coronacrisis an article appeared in PC magazine. Microsoft had filed for a patent that suggest a technique using body heat, fluids, or brainwaves to validate blockchain transactions and award users with digital currency such as Bitcoin. A new patent application by Microsoft details a way to use bodily functions, such as brain activity, to mine cryptocurrency.
By tracking brainwaves when someone watches an advert, Microsoft hopes to use the data generated as a “proof-of-work.” This is the validation of a transaction, or the completion of a task, in a blockchain system, and the way in which creation of currency is validated in a cryptocurrency model.
The advent of Microsoft’s patent “Cryptocurrency System Using Body Activity Data” portends an impending reality where our bodies and minds become cogs in a new form of capitalist machinery. By tapping into our bodily functions — from brain activity to body heat — to validate blockchain transactions and “mine” cryptocurrency, Big Tech firms are seeking to transform us into living, breathing sources of capital. Moreover, they are blurring the boundaries between the digital and the corporeal in ways that have far-reaching implications for privacy, autonomy, and the nature of human existence itself.
This unsettling prospect — of our body’s activities being harnessed for generating digital currency — points to a future where Big Tech and Big Pharma are merging into one overarching power structure. Both domains are increasingly interwoven in our lives and possess immense sway over individual and collective destinies. Their convergence not only signals a new level of control over human beings but also the dawning of a novel, digital-physical form of biopower, a term coined by Michel Foucault to describe the mechanisms through which power is exercised over bodies in a societal context.
Under this new regime, our bodies are no longer just biological entities but sites of data extraction and capital production. The seemingly innocuous act of viewing an advertisement becomes a bio-economic activity. Our responses, as gauged through brainwaves or body heat, become invaluable data sets that feed the blockchain, fostering a cryptoeconomy where human activity is the primary resource. This reality represents a radical shift in the understanding of labour and the nature of work.
The body as a capitalist commodity
This development finds parallels in the strategies of Big Pharma, where our bodies are treated as potential sources of profit. Consider, for instance, how pharmaceutical companies commodify health and illness, turning our physical and mental well-being into markets to be tapped. The increasing intertwining of Big Pharma with Big Tech signifies a convergence of their interests and strategies. It reflects the emergence of an unprecedented form of power structure with an unassailable grip over both our internal biological worlds and external digital interactions.
Moreover, this intersection of Big Tech and Big Pharma becomes a potent tool for social and political control, especially when combined with the emerging ‘might is right’ paradigm. From the ‘mapping of corona critics’ to the tracking of our biological responses, this new power structure harnesses fear and insecurity to ensure compliance and docility. It leverages the state of exception, normalizing surveillance and control under the guise of public safety, efficiency, or innovation.
In essence, this merging of Big Tech and Big Pharma into a totalitarian superstructure represents a shift from Foucault’s “disciplinary society” to what Gilles Deleuze termed a “control society.” Here, control extends beyond physical spaces into the realm of data and the virtual, making it pervasive and ubiquitous. It threatens to undermine the very essence of our humanity, turning us into nodes in a cryptoeconomic network and consumers in a relentless cycle of pharmaceutical commodification.
Keep it dulled
In observing the predatory behaviors of the parasitical force that controls our society, one must understand the inherent drive of the parasite to keep the host’s perception dulled, senses muted, and cognition hindered. The rise of phenomena that impair our senses, such as cigarettes and mouth caps, is no random occurrence. It aligns perfectly with the insidious modus operandi of the parasite that loves nothing more than to rob us of our vitality, creativity, and higher cognitive functions.
The advent of diseases that steal senses like smell and taste could be seen as part of this larger pattern. Viruses act like ‘black magic’ tricksters, causing a disconcerting sensory void, estranging us from our bodies, disconnecting us from the sensory richness of the world, and, importantly, further serving the parasite’s agenda.
Simultaneously, it is intriguing to note the resurgence of smoking’s popularity with the rise of predatory capitalism. Smoking, a known sense-duller, causes significant harm to our bodies and minds. The smoke fills our lungs, constricts our vessels, dulls our taste and smell – rendering us less attuned to our environment, less able to perceive subtleties, and ultimately more susceptible to manipulation.
These sensory impairments fall perfectly into the hands of the parasitic entity, which thrives on our inability to perceive and confront its existence. The less discerning we are, the less we question, and the more easily we can be led astray, lining the pockets of the Big Pharma-Tech superstructure while diminishing our own capacities.
The parasite, it appears, despises noble gases and higher energy, things that are mind-expanding. Its antipathy towards mind-expanding substances and experiences is quite revealing, shedding light on its nature. The parasite is a creature of lower energies, capable only of harvesting and utilizing these for its sustenance. It cannot thrive in an environment of higher vibrational frequencies, which enhance our senses, expand our consciousness, and allow us to see through the veil.
Cognitive dissonance as a business tool
In extending the discussion to cognitive dissonance, we arrive at another vital tool in the arsenal of the parasitic entity that we are grappling with. Cognitive dissonance, as a concept, is deeply intertwined with the issues at hand. It manifests when a person experiences mental discomfort due to holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or perceptions simultaneously. This state of mental conflict is not only uncomfortable but also profoundly destabilizing, often leading individuals to seek resolution in irrational ways.
In an environment where Big Pharma, Big Tech, and predatory capitalism reign, cognitive dissonance serves as a highly effective business model. It has been observed repeatedly that many people appear to be utterly dominated by cognitive dissonance, a phenomenon that significantly shapes their perceptions, decisions, and actions.
Consider, for instance, the apparent entanglement of the left with Big Pharma and psychiatry. Despite the purported dedication to questioning systemic power structures, there’s an inability to recognize or reconcile the contradiction inherent in endorsing institutions that wield significant power and influence over individual lives. This cognitive dissonance creates a rift, a space in which manipulation and control can flourish.
Similarly, the merger of Big Tech and Big Pharma represents another arena where cognitive dissonance comes into play. We desire convenience and advancement in technology, but we also want privacy and control over our personal information. The Microsoft patent application mentioned earlier epitomizes this.
Moreover, the scenario where our senses are dulled by products or diseases that we accept or even welcome into our lives is another example. The dissonance lies in knowing these elements are harmful and still engaging with them. We simultaneously hold the desire for health and well-being and a willingness to indulge in things that clearly undermine them.
The battle against Goliath
Cognitive dissonance, thus, metamorphoses into a sinister and intricate device of subjugation and control, manifesting as a uniquely profitable enterprise model. This Machiavellian contraption is wielded with dexterity by the parasitic entity that engenders disarray, propels detrimental behaviors, and firmly maintains its reign of dominance. Recognizing and confronting this dissonance, followed by a systematic and rational resolution, become essential strides in the monumental journey towards reclaiming our autonomy and repelling the invisible shackles of control that bind us.
Awareness, discerning inquiry, and personal accountability emerge as the most potent weapons in our arsenal, primed against this insidious onslaught of cognitive manipulation. Beyond that, it is imperative to regain control over the receptor networks that have been cunningly manipulated into a restrictive serotonin-dopamine dichotomy. As we permit ourselves to be governed by the narrow confines of the ‘happiness/success’ paradigm, we unwittingly surrender to the mercy of forces we would rather resist.
Yet, as we approach the closing of this exploration, it is essential to take heart and comprehend that all is not lost. The power to steer the course of our narrative rests within us. This arduous journey towards liberation from the chains of cognitive dissonance and the oppressive forces at play invites us to redefine our perceptions of happiness and success. It beckons us to venture beyond the imposed serotonin-dopamine exclusivity and embark on a voyage of discovery into the rich tapestry of human emotion and experience.
The battle against the Goliath of a parasitic superstructure borne out of Big Pharma, Big Tech, and predatory capitalism is not one fought on the physical plane alone. It is a war waged in the recesses of our mind, upon the terrain of our perceptions and beliefs. The ability to discern, question, and break free from the imposed narratives shapes the trajectory of this battle. The ‘might is right’ premise, intimidating though it may be, can be dismantled. It is when we grasp the power of our narrative and refuse to be enslaved by dissonance, we reclaim the strength that is rightfully ours. As we stand at this crossroads of change, we must choose – to fall prey to the fear and submission or embrace the uncertainty of liberation. Only then can we truly commence the journey towards a future unshackled from the specter of parasitic control.
